Product of the Year: Prestige

WWD celebrates the year's best.

GiorgioArmani staged a one-of-a-kind fashion extravaganza in New York thisfall, but that wasn’t the only area of the company making news. Inbeauty, Armani launched a first-to-market concept with Rouge Ecstasy, a36-stockkeeping-unit lipstick line called the first “triple-c”lipstick—that is, color, comfort and care. The centerpiece of thetechnology is a proprietary ingredient called the Melting Cream Complex,which is said to deliver skin-care benefits along with high-impactcolor. “This new, innovative hybrid product marks the start of a new erain lipstick,” said Véronique Gautier, international general managerforGiorgio Armani Beauty. “It is a solid, melting lip balm with thecolorintensity of a lipstick, 12-hour hydration and reparativeactions.” Alsostandout: bold red packaging from the master ofminimalism and afirst-ever digital campaign for the brand featuringbeatbox sensationFelix Zenger. All the noise seemed to pay off:Launched in about 180doors, Rouge Ecstasy was expected to ring up morethan $5 million insales in North America.

Skin Care

Ibuki by Shiseido

Manymarketers have spoken of luring Millennials to their counters, butthisyear Shiseido put its money where other’s mouths are with thelaunch ofIbuki. The first completely new skin-care line from Shiseidoin eightyears, the 7-stockkeeping-unit Ibuki is designed for women 25to 34years old. The products were created to mitigate the effects of atypical twentysomething lifestyle, which often includes lack of sleep,oiliness, visible pores and rough skin resulting fromless-than-optimalnutrition. “By 2017, Millennials will outspend BabyBoomers,” said HeidiManheimer, chief executive officer of ShiseidoCosmetics America. “Thisline is designed as a jumping-off point forserious skin care. This isthe time to capture their attention.” Tothat end, Shiseido focused itsmarketing efforts online, including anIbuki microsite with productdetails, education and a rich socialexperience that allows users toread about the life experiences oflike-minded people. Knowledge—andnumbers—are indeed power.

Hair Care

Color Wow Root Cover Up

Afterselling John Frieda to Kao Corp. in 2002, Gail Federici traded haircare for the music business. But she soon found a beauty problem shecouldn’t ignore: unsightly gray roots. To tackle grays, Federici got herproverbial band back together, reuniting with Frieda and chemist JoeCincotta to create Color Wow Root Cover Up. “Everywhere I went, peoplewere showing their gray because nothing worked [to cover it in betweendyes]. I thought if we could crack this problem we’d have anotherFrizz-Ease or beyond,” said Federici, who spent three years fine-tuningthe solid powder pigment before its introduction earlier this year atUlta and on QVC. Root Cover Up, which is housed in a sleek compact, ispart of the Color Wow line, which Federici and her team formulated toaddress problems common with color-treated hair. “We identify a problemthat is pervasive and our objective is to fix it,” said Federici. “I amanalytical to a fault, which is why I think we have the success thatwehave.”

Fragrance

Modern Muse by Estée Lauder

Fragranceis the historical backbone of the Estée Lauder brand, and for thelaunch of Modern Muse, the brand firmly put its stake in the ground.“This is the most important fragrance launch we’ve had in a decade,”said Jane Hertzmark Hudis, global president of Estée Lauder. “ModernMuse captures what it means today to be independent and confident inone’s own sense of self and style.” The importance of this launch wasevident in the expectations that circulated through the market, withsources speculating that Lauder would invest about $50 million inpromotional support, and was aiming for sales of $95 million globally inyear one. Supermodel Arizona Muse starred as the face of the brand,andfrom the launch period on, her image was everywhere: in print ads,online and on television. Olfactively, the scent broke new ground forLauder, with a sparkling jasmine note to impart a feminine side and woodaccords to represent strength. Lauder’s confidence, it seems, was wellplaced, with retailers reporting a strong start amid predictions ofending the year in the top 10.

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Social Studies

Donatella Versace will receive the International Award at the 2018 @cfda awards, which were announced tonight. Tap link in bio for a list of all the nominees and honorees. #wwdnews #wwdfashion (📷: @rahirezvanistudio )

The 2018 @cfda Awards nominees are out! @virgilabloh for @off____white for is nominated for Womenswear Designer of the Year. Tap link in bio for all the nominees. #wwdnews #wwdfashion ( 📷: @simonelezzi)

@chanelofficial is suing high-end vintage retailer @whatgoesaroundnyc for trademark infringement, a move that could cost the retailer millions. The French fashion house claims that it’s not only unintentionally sold counterfeit goods on occasion, but that it’s “gone out of its way to create an association with Chanel,” which does not exist. Read Chanel’s statement on WWD.com #wwdnews (@aitorrosasphoto)

Exclusive: Guillaume Henry has left @ninaricci, the fashion house said on Thursday. “After three years of mutually gratifying creative collaboration, Nina Ricci and Guillaume Henry have together decided that the designer will depart the house after the presentation of the fall-winter 2018-19 collection,” Ricci said in a statement. Get all the details on WWD.com #wwdfashion (📷: @aitorrosasphoto)

“When Bella enters a room all heads turn,” said @peterphilipsmakeup, creative and image director for @diormakeup. Last night, the two celebrated the product launch of Dior’s Lacquer Plump in Los Angeles with other celebs like @parisjackson, @winnieharlow and more. Head to WWD.com to see the rest of the photos from the night (📷: @chelsealaurenla) #wwdeye

“These shirts are an art form, it’s about getting the message out to as many people as you can. It breaks down the pretentiousness of the art gallery,” says Kumasi Sadiki, cofounder of @ebayontheblock, a store that sells merchandise by New York artists who are shifting their attention to clothes as a wearable medium. Pictured here is a design by artist @joegarvey_, one of the first to spearhead this movement. Head to WWD.com to read @mistywhitesidell full story on how their designs have become merch for the underground elite #wwdfashion

@netaporter is dedicating a part of its website – called the Fine Jewelry and Watch Destination – to highlight its high-end jewelry. The hub will feature products on the site, as well as incorporate styling advice and educational content about high-priced jewelry items. Get more details on WWD.com. #wwdaccessories

For “The Cher Show,” an upcoming musical based on @cher’s life and career, @bobmackie is once again collaborating with the singer in designing the costumes. For decades, Mackie has designed glitzy stage costumes and red carpet looks for the 71-year-old Grammy winner. Pictured here is a sketch of some of the pieces in the wardrobe of the musical, which is set to debut in Chicago on June 12 before making its way to Broadway #wwdeye